What is the purpose of the mirror? There are two basic uses: utility, such as a bathroom vanity mirror and decor, such as an accent piece or to create an illusion of space.
Where will you hang the mirror? Are you looking for mirror for your bathroom vanity, hallway, or family room or are you looking for a floor mirror for your bedroom?
Are you matching another piece in your home, such as a bathroom vanity or a bedroom furniture outfit? If you are matching to an existing piece of stained or painted furniture, it is better to choose a color that is different rather than try for a perfect match. It is very difficult to find a perfect match if the mirror comes from a different manufacturer, and it will look like you tried to match but were unsuccessful. Whereas, if you go with a different finish altogether, the final design will look purposeful.
What is the size of the room & where will the mirror hang? For smaller rooms, consider using wall mounted, free standing or table top mirrors. A mirror can make a small room feel larger. Placing a mirror across from a window will open up the room with the reflection of the outdoors. Floor mirrors are best used in larger rooms.
What is the style of the room? You should keep a consistent style throughout a room when decorating. You do not want to mix a traditional and contemporary style, as the over all look may get lost.
What is your budget? How much do you want to spend? This is important as you can find mirrors priced anywhere from $100 on the low end to several $1000s on the upper end.
Once you define the characteristics of what you are looking for, finding the perfect mirror can seem like a daunting task. There are an unlimited number of choices, but knowing what you are looking for will help.
If you live in an area where shopping is plentiful and accessible, browsing your local furniture marts can be an option. In my opinion, one of the benefits of the World Wide Web is the ability to shop 24 - 7 in the comfort of your own home. Use popular search engines and type in the details of what you are looking for; the more specific you are in your search will result in more relevant matches. Or stay broad to get more search results.
